Lebanese stockpiling weapons against IS

The Associated Press (AP) reports that some Lebanese Christians are stockpiling weapons and setting up self-defence units to protect themselves from the Islamic State.

This report came the day before IS militants beheaded Lebanese soldier Abbas Medlej who had been taken hostage by the group’s militants in August. Photos of his killing were posted on social media networks.

AP reports that pluralist Lebanon is the only Arab country with a Christian head of state; it also says it cannot cope with the latest huge influx of Syrian refugees.